- Inaugural China Eastern Airlines’ flight to Shanghai takes off today
- Thirteen non-stop flights scheduled over Chinese New Year period
- Tourism Minister travelling on first flight
- Service supported by the Cook Government and Perth Airport
A special four-week flight service between Perth and Shanghai has launched today, paving the way for new tourism and trade opportunities between Western Australia and China.
Operated by China Eastern Airlines, the new route will run three times a week over the Chinese New Year Period, from 19 January to 17 February.
WA is set to welcome thousands of Chinese travellers visiting friends and family as the country celebrates its biggest holiday of the year, with 117,000 Western Australians claiming Chinese ancestry.
The new connection is supported by the Cook Government, in partnership with Perth Airport, and was secured during Premier Roger Cook’s trade mission to China in November last year.
The Shanghai seasonal service will be used to explore options for regular non-stop aviation connections with China to boost tourism and trade.
Pre-pandemic, China was WA’s largest market for visitor spend, with 73,000 Chinese visitors spending $367 million in 2019.
China is also the State’s biggest trading partner, with goods exported from WA to China totalling $147.7 billion in 2022-23, representing 55 per cent of the WA’s total goods exports.
Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti will travel on today’s inaugural flight, and in Shanghai will meet with Tongcheng Travel one of the largest travel service providers in the world for hotel accommodation, airline tickets and packaged tours in China.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“China is WA’s biggest trading partner, so it makes sense that we have a direct flight to Shanghai – the economic centre of China.
“The direct link will be a major boost for our local economy, supporting a range of different local WA industries and bringing thousands of additional visitors to the State.
“Direct flights to and from China not only benefit our tourism sector, but open up significant opportunities for international education, agriculture, and business exchanges.
“My Government will work with China Eastern and Perth Airport to help ensure the flights are a success, so it can become a permanent direct flight link in the near future.”
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
“These seasonal flights offer a unique opportunity for travel between Shanghai and Perth, and we look forward to welcoming Chinese visitors to WA as they come to our State to celebrate Chinese New Year with family and friends.
“Our Government has been proud to partner with China Eastern and Perth Airport to launch this special service and we are committed to working with our aviation partners to deliver a non-stop connect between China and WA.
“China was WA’s biggest visitor market for spend pre-pandemic and a direct link would not only drive inbound tourism, but also boost surrounding industries like international education, and further strengthen our State’s growing global reputation.”
